Cahors is a famous wine produced from a whopping 10,000 acres of historic vineyards spread to the west of the town of Cahors in southwetern France to the south of Bordeaux. The region only produces red wines, made predominantly from Malbec, which must make up at least 70% of the blend. This is supplemented by Tannat and Merlot if the producer chooses to do so.

Wines have been made here since Roman times and the region has a justifiable reputation for producing deeply concentrated, tannic, nearly opaque reds that require bottle age to come around. Indeed the "black wine" of Cahors was coveted around Europe since the Middle Ages. Cuttings of Malbec from Cahors were brought to Argentina in the 1800s and form the base of the Argentine wine industry to this day.

The Cahors version of Malbec lives up to its reputation as a brooding, impenetrable heavyweight wine, quite distinct from the early approachability of many Argentine styles. While few examples are exported to the United States, those that are should be sought out by those favoring big, stroppy wines at a reasonable price. (Wine/Appellations)